Actuator for folding closure



Aug. 15, 1967 DQR. LIGH ACTUATOR FOR FOLDING CLOSURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 22, 1965 INVENTOR.

Aug. 15, 1967 D 3,335,783

I ACTUATOR FOR FOLDING CLOSURE Filed m. 22. 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. pu l/v" 4 United States Patent 3,335,783 ACTUATOR FOR FOLDINGCLOSURE David R. Ligh, 193 Main St, Madison, NJ. 07940 Filed Oct. 22,1965, Ser. No. 501,855 Claims. (31. 160-188) The present inventionrelates to an actuator for a folding closure, particularly for hatchcovers which are adapted to cover the hatch of a ship.

It is one object of the invention to provide an improved power actuatedfolding closure or hatch cover in which the closing force produced by adrive means is greater in the closing position of the closure than inthe open folded position of the closure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding closureparticularly suited for hatch covers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toggle lever system forconnecting a pair of panels of the closure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connecting lever systembetween a pair of panels accomplishing relative turning between the twopanels through an angle of 180.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a foldingclosure, and more particularly to a hatch cover having a pair of panelsconnected by hinge means. Pivot means mount the end of one panel, andtracks support the other end of the other panel so that the panels areturnable between a closing position aligned along the tracks and afolded position disposed transversely to the tracks. The tracks may beprovided adjacent a hatch on at 00aming on the deck.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention a pair of firsttoggle levers has free ends pivoted to the panels, and a pair of secondtoggle levers connect the first toggle levers, a panel, and drive meansso that by operation of the drive means the panels are turned between analigned closing position and an open folded position.

One of the second toggle levers has a free end pivoted to one of thefirst toggle levers intermediate the ends of the same, and the othersecond toggle lever has a free end pivoted to one of the panels andbeing pivotally connected with drive means mounted on the respectiveother panel.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive means include ahydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted on the respective panel and havinga longitudinally reciprocable piston rod pivotally connected with therespective second toggle lever. In the closed position of the panels,the hydraulic cylinder, the piston rod, and the respective second togglelever are aligned in the direction of the tracks to exert a maximumtorque in this aligned position of the panels where the greatest torqueis required for the folding operation.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating a folding closureaccording to the invention as embodied in a hatch cover;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 22 inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevation illustrating an intermediate position betweenthe aligned closing position and the completely folded position of theclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, a pair of hatch cover panels and 21 areconnected to each other by two hinges, each including a bracket 28secured to the first panel 20, a pair of brackets 29 secured to thesecond panel 21, and a hinge pin 27. Panel 20 is mounted on pivot meanswhich include a pair of pivot blocks 24 secured, for example, to thedeck 25 of the ship adjacent a hatch, a pivot pin 26, and a hingebracket 23 secured to panel 20. Panel 20 is turnable through an angle ofabout the axis provided by pivot pin 26 to a vertical position. Duringsuch movement, panel 21 is taken along due to the hinge means 28, 27,29, while roller means 30 at the remote end of panel 21 roll alonghorizontal tracks 50 provided on the hatch coaming or on the deck. Afterpassing through the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3, panel 21 willbe in a vertical folded position, not shown, directly adjacent panel 20.

During such movement, panel 21 turns 90 in relation to the tracks 50,but relative to panel 20 about hinge pins 27.

A pair of panels, as illustrated, may be used for covering half of ahatch opening, and a corresponding pair of panels may be provided at theother end of the hatch opening. Each panel has a relatively heavy topplate 15 stiffened by beams and struts to give the panel sufiicientstructural strength against the stresses produced by the folding torque.When these panels are in the aligned closing position shown in FIG. 1,the top plates form a substantially continuous upper surface.

Panels 20 and 21 are connected to each other by an actuatorlever systemincluding a pair of first toggle lever means 39, 43 and a pair of secondtoggle lever means 36 and 46. The first toggle lever means 39 includetwo parallel links 39 and the first toggle lever means 43 includes twoparallel links 43 connected with links 39 by pivot pins 42. The free endof links 39 are connected by a pivot pin 40 to a pair of brackets 41secured to panel 21. Pivot pin 40 is spaced from hinge pin 27. The freeends of links 43 are connected by pivot pins 44 to brackets 44a securedto panel 22.

The pair of second toggle lever means includes a link 46 connected by apivot 47 to the pair of links 33 of the first toggle lever meansintermediate the pivots 42 and 40. The other end of the link 46 isconnected by a pivot pin to a pair of links 36 which form the othersecond toggle lever means. A pivot pin 37 connects the free end of theparallel links 36 with a bracket 38 on panel 21, while the other freeends of links 36 are connected by a pivot pin 35 to a clevis 34 at theend of a piston rod 33 which garrigei a piston, not shown, located inthe hydraulic cylin- I Iydraulic cylinder 31 is mounted on a pivot means32 which is secured to the end of panel 20 and permits angulardisplacement of cylinder 31 during the operation of the panels.

In the closed position of the panels shown in FIG. 1, cylinder 31,piston rod 33, and second toggle lever means 36 are aligned and extendsubstantially parallel to the direction of tracks 50 and transverse tolines connecting the pivots 27 and 37, or 40 and 37. Consequently, themaximum torque is exerted on the hatch covers in the aligned closedposition shown in FIG. 1 when the reciprocating drive member performs astroke parallel to the tracks in the closed position of the panels.

During the folding operation, panels 20 and 21 turn relative to eachother about hinge pin 27 an angle of 180. When the panel starts to movefrom the closed aligned position of FIG. 1 toward the intermediateposition of FIG. 3, panel 20 also turns about pivot 26. During thisfolding movement, pivot pin 46 rotates about pivot pin 27 causing links39 to move forwardly and rearward in the opening and closing cycle, andin unison with the rotation of pivot 40 about hinge pin 27.

The effect of this movement is to cause pivot 47 to travel forward, orfrom the left to the right as viewed Patented Aug. 15, 1967 in thedrawing, during the folding of the panels, and to retract in theopposite direction when the panels unfold and move to the alignedclosing position. The shifting of pivot 47 is important and permits awide selection of the arms on which the forces act to produce torques soas to give a maximum of rotational torque about hinge pin 27, whichtorque has the folding effect on the panels.

During the first phase of the folding operation, drive member 33 exertsa direct push on links 36, resulting in a straight push on pivot 37producing a maximum torque about hinge pin 27 since the line connectingpivots 27 and 37 is substantially perpendicular to the direction oflinks 36. During the end phase of the folding operation, links 36 act asa walking beam, pivot 45 providing a fulcrum, resulting also in amaximum torque about hinge pin 37 increased by the turning force actingon pivot 40. In the intermediate position of the panels shown in FIG. 3,a combination of direct pushing force and a walking beam force acts toproduce a maximum torque for turning the panels about hinge pin 27.During the unfolding of the panels, a reverse action takes place.

Cylinder 31 of the drive means has pressure lines 31a, 31b through whichan operating fluid is admitted and discharged for reciprocating thepiston to which drive member 33 is secured.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types offolding closures differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in apair of hatch cover panels connected to each other by two pairs oftoggle lever means, it is not intended to be limited to the detailsshown, since various modifications and structural changes may be madewithout departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and,therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehendedwithin the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding closure comprising first and second panels; hinge meansconnecting adjacent ends of said panels; pivot means for mounting theother end of said first panel; track means supporting the other end ofsaid second panel so that said panels are turnable between a closingposition aligned along said track means and a folded position disposedtransversely to said track means; a pair of first pivotally connectedtoggle lever means having free ends pivoted, respectively to said firstand second panels spaced from said hinge means and pivot means; a pairof second pivotally connected toggle lever means, one of said secondtoggle lever means having a free end pivoted to one of said first togglelever means intermediate the ends of the same, and the other secondtoggle lever means having a free end pivoted to one of said panelsspaced from said hinge means; and drive means mounted on the other paneland having a reciprocable drive member pivotally connected with saidother second toggle lever means.

2. A folding closure according to claim 1, wherein said other secondtoggle lever means has another free end pivotally connected with saidreciprocable drive member.

3. A folding closure according to claim 1, wherein said reciprocabledrive member and said other second toggle lever means are alignedsubstantially in the dii rection parallel to said track means when saidpanels are in said aligned closing position.

4. A folding closure according to claim 1, wherein said other secondtoggle lever means has another free end pivotally connected with saidreciprocable drive member and is pivotally connected with said one panelat a pivot point; wherein said drive member and said other second togglelever means are substantially aligned in a direction parallel to saidtrack means when said panels are in said aligned closing position;wherein said drive member moves in said direction when said panels arein said aligned closing position; and wherein a straight line throughsaid pivot point and hinge means extends substantially at right anglesto said direction.

5. A folding closure according to claim 1, wherein said free end of saidone first toggle lever means is pivoted to said one panel at a firstpivot point; wherein said free end of said one second toggle lever meansis pivoted to said one first toggle lever means at a second pivot point;and wherein a substantially straight line connects said first and secondpivot points with the axis of said hinge means when said panels are inthe aligned closing position.

6. A folding closure according to claim 1, wherein said free end of saidother second toggle lever means is pivoted to said one panel at a pivotpoint; and wherein a straight line connecting said pivot point with saidhinge means extends substantially at right angles to the direction ofmovement of said drive member when said panels are in the alignedclosing position.

7. A folding closure according to claim 1, wherein said other secondtoggle lever means has another free end pivotally connected with saidreciprocable drive member, and is pivoted to said one panel at a pivotpoint; wherein said drive member and said other second toggle levermeans are substantially aligned in a direction parallel to said trackmeans when said panels are in said aligned closing position; wherein astraight line connecting said pivot point with the axis of said hingemeans extends substantially at right angles to said direction and saidtrack means.

8. A folding closure according to claim 1, wherein said panels are hatchcovers; wherein said track means are horizontal tracks; and wherein saidpanels in said folded position are substantially parallel and vertical.

9. A folding closure according to claim 1, wherein said one first togglelever means and said other second toggle lever means are pivoted to thesame panel.

10. A folding closure according to claim 9 wherein said one first togglelever means and said other second toggle lever means are pivoted to saidsecond panel; and wherein said drive means is pivotally mounted on saidfirst panel.

11. A hatch cover comprising first and second panels; hinge meansconnecting adjacent ends of said first and second panels; stationarypivot means for mounting the other end of said first panel for turningmovement about horizontal axis; horizontal track means supporting theother end of said second panel for movement along the same so that saidpanels are turnable between a horizontal closing position aligned alongsaid track means and a substantially vertical folded position; a pair offirst toggle lever means pivotally connected to each other, one of saidfirst toggle lever means having a free end pivoted to said second panelspaced a short distance from said hinge means, and the other firsttoggle lever means having a free end pivoted to said first panel; a pairof second toggle lever means, one of said second toggle lever meanshaving a free end pivoted to said one first toggle lever meansintermediate the pivoted ends of the same, and the other second togglelever means being pivotally connected with said second panel spaced fromsaid hinge means and from the end of said one first toggle lever means;and a hydraulic drive means including a cylinder, and a piston andpiston rod mounted in said cylinder for reciprocating movement, saidpiston rod being pivotally connected with the other end of said othersecond toggle lever means said cylinder being mounted on said firstpanel for angular movement, said piston rod being substantially alignedwith said other second toggle lever and movable in the direction of thesame in said aligned closing position of said panels, and a lineextending through'said hinge means and the point at which said othersecond toggle lever means is pivotally connected with said second panelextending transverse to said direction whereby a maximum torque isexerted in said aligned closing position of said panels.

12. A hatch cover according to claim 11 wherein each .of said firsttoggle lever means includes a pair of parallel links spaced from eachother; and wherein said second toggle lever means are located betweensaid links of said first toggle lever means.

13. A hatch cover according to claim 12 wherein said one second togglelever means is a single link, and said other second toggle lever meansincludes a pair of links located on opposite sides of said single link;and wherein said piston rod has an end portion located between saidlinks of said other second toggle lever means.

14. A hatch cover according to claim 11 wherein said free end of saidone first toggle lever means is pivoted to said second panel at a pivotpoint; wherein said free end of said one second toggle lever means ispivoted to said one first toggle lever means at another pivot point; andwherein said pivot points and the axis of said hinge means are locatedon a substantially straight line in said aligned closing position ofsaid panels.

15. A hatch cover according to claim 13 and including a plurality ofpivot pins parallel to each other and disposed for pivotally connectingsaid first and second toggle lever means with each other and with saidfirst and second panels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 697,786 2/ 1902 Colwell 213791,164 5/1905 Pitt et a1. 160-188 3,131,923 5/1964 Clasen et al 1'60188 3,154,136 10/1964 Ligh 160-488 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, PrimaryExaminer.

P. M. CAUN, Assistant Examiner.

1. A FOLDING CLOSURE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND PANELS; HINGE MEANSCONNECTING ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID PANELS; PIVOT MEANS FOR MOUNTING THEOTHER END OF SAID FIRST PANEL; TRACK MEANS SUPPORTING THE OTHER END OFSAID SECOND PANEL SO THAT SAID PANELS ARE TURNABLE BETWEEN A CLOSINGPOSITION ALIGNED ALONG SAID TRACK MEANS AND A FOLDED POSITION DISPOSEDTRANSVERSELY TO SAID TRACK MEANS; A PAIR OF FIRST PIVOTALLY CONNECTEDTOGGLE LEVER MEANS HAVING FREE ENDS PIVOTED, RESPECTIVELY TO SAID FIRSTAND SECOND PANELS SPACED FROM SAID HINGE MEANS AND PIVOT MEANS; A PAIROF SECOND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOGGLE LEVER MEANS, ONE OF SAID SECONDTOGGLE LEVER MEANS HAVING A FREE END PIVOTED TO ONE OF SAID FIRST TOGGLELEVER MEANS INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF THE SAME, AND THE OTHER SECONDTOGGLE LEVER MEANS HAVING A FREE END PIVOTED TO ONE OF SAID PANELSSPACED FROM SAID HINGE MEANS; AND DRIVE MEANS MOUNTED ON THE OTHER PANELAND HAVING A RECIPROCABLE DRIVE MEMBER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED WITH SAIDOTHER SECOND TOGGLE LEVER MEANS.